Why is “plan” a bad 4 letter word?

“We need an app for that” is beginning to replace “they need to be trained” as the model of solutions heard in boardrooms and meetings it seems to me.  An unscientific and informal poll of colleagues finds many being pushed or rushing into solutions to reach the masses and doing so without any kind of strategic plan.  I like the tools and the “buzz” however I have found, to my chagrin, that without thoughtful planning in advance any delivery of content will be difficult to discern if your efforts were successful.

 Here is what’s in it for you.  Having a learning strategy will define the success you, and the organization, want so you will save costly time during the design and development of the solution.  Actual, honest, measurable (read transactional for my business partners) metrics can be established for individual efforts when the bigger picture is considered. What will you measure? How will you know when the solution (and you/team) are successful? How fast can you get the feedback from the masses to respond to and now can make tactical changes to further increase the effectiveness and value of the strategic solution?

 One more WIIFM for you.  Creating a strategic plan allows your business partners to become stakeholders.  This is a chance to create relationships that bring their emotional, if not fiscal, investment to help guide your learning efforts and ensure alignment and prioritization of work efforts.  You build support being focused on the initiatives that drive the business and not the “apps” and you get to show your leadership skills to other leaders allowing them to see that you can provide the support and service they need and can do it strategically.